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memestertrucks2025-01-01 12:01 am
monstertruckers) wrote in memestertrucks2025-01-01 12:01 am
Entry tags:
JANUARY TDM
After tumbling through shadow you find yourself in a shrouded, ruined garage. It’s full of shattered windows and broken mechanical equipment; watch out for shards on the floor, in between the strange symbols scrawled into the ground. Outside the daylight is fading; night is rolling in, and there’s just a few dying lights flickering on and off. It’s going to be hard to see in here and avoid bumping into things and people, if you don’t get outside soon.
Beyond the rundown garage is an overgrown gas station surrounded by thick, wetland forest. Starlight is streaming through the trees, along with light from a broken moon. The one thing that isn’t overgrown with plants is a large Convoy of vehicles, parked right underneath the station canopy.
01: START UP
The Convoy looks like a cross between a semi truck and a train; there’s no one at the front, but there’s still power humming through the entire Convoy. It’s also the most hospitable thing in sight. Why not make yourself at home a little? You just have to chase that eerie, empty feeling since there’s no one else present.
Alternately, there are the cars scattered around the Convoy; all of them in better shape than the gas station. And some of them looking and feeling almost like they might belong to you. That feeling is only increased, when you see there’s a key to the car nearby. Perhaps the key is already in the ignition, on the dashboard… It may have even been on your person, ever since you woke up in that garage. Either way, you have the keys to the vehicle now.
…But there’s a few rough edges on these vehicles. Flat tires, cracked windows and mirrors, maybe some stuck doors and locks; all of them the sort of thing that requires two pairs of hands and supplies. The garage can take care of the supplies… Now it’s just a matter of finding some extra hands.
Alternately, there are the cars scattered around the Convoy; all of them in better shape than the gas station. And some of them looking and feeling almost like they might belong to you. That feeling is only increased, when you see there’s a key to the car nearby. Perhaps the key is already in the ignition, on the dashboard… It may have even been on your person, ever since you woke up in that garage. Either way, you have the keys to the vehicle now.
…But there’s a few rough edges on these vehicles. Flat tires, cracked windows and mirrors, maybe some stuck doors and locks; all of them the sort of thing that requires two pairs of hands and supplies. The garage can take care of the supplies… Now it’s just a matter of finding some extra hands.
02: RUIN EXPLORATION
The ruined gas station and garage are the only man-made structures around, and have seen better days. The store still holds packaged food, and tepid drinks of all sorts. The garage has old mechanical equipment for working on cars, along with that strange summoning circle.
There's also a giant tree bursting through the gas station roof. And clinging to its branches, half melted into the surface, are metallic bodies. Graffiti is spray painted onto the tree, reading ‘avoid the Husks.’
Those who ignore the warning and get closer hear a faint hum coming off those bodies. It’s almost like whispers, though it’s impossible to make out any clear words. Some Husks are clutching supplies in metal fists. For a few unlucky new arrivals, those Husks might even be holding the keys to their vehicles.
Making direct contact with the Husks intensifies the hum, and the whispers begin to form into pained cries, and give the impression of something rummaging through their thoughts; trying to pry out things that hurt Drifters, and reflecting those hurtful things on the bodies of the Husks for anyone to see.
There's also a giant tree bursting through the gas station roof. And clinging to its branches, half melted into the surface, are metallic bodies. Graffiti is spray painted onto the tree, reading ‘avoid the Husks.’
Those who ignore the warning and get closer hear a faint hum coming off those bodies. It’s almost like whispers, though it’s impossible to make out any clear words. Some Husks are clutching supplies in metal fists. For a few unlucky new arrivals, those Husks might even be holding the keys to their vehicles.
Making direct contact with the Husks intensifies the hum, and the whispers begin to form into pained cries, and give the impression of something rummaging through their thoughts; trying to pry out things that hurt Drifters, and reflecting those hurtful things on the bodies of the Husks for anyone to see.
03: MONSTER ATTACK
The night grows darker, and the shadows grow deeper. And from those shadows comes the glint of something moving across the Husks, rippling over the metal… And breaking it apart in a flurry of too sharp claws and teeth. That’s when the radio chooses to come on in another mess of static.
Be careful- Keep your fear and rage in check- Calls the monsters- We need the shield up-
The warning comes too late as monsters arrive. Some human-like but with razor teeth mouths that stretch from face to groin; others resembling alligators with bloated proportions and jaws that spit lightning; and still others where the vegetation has come to life, sporting thorn covered appendages.
The Pisaca monsters act as shock troopers, wearing the Convoy down with venomous bites and debilitating howls, before the heavy and brutish alligators bull in, using their bulk and electric attacks to obliterate what’s left. The capparwires scurry in the periphery, taking cheap shots with thorny vines and sparking electricity where they can. It’s a task to keep the monsters at bay until the generator fires up. Especially when one last enemy makes an appearance…
Be careful- Keep your fear and rage in check- Calls the monsters- We need the shield up-
The warning comes too late as monsters arrive. Some human-like but with razor teeth mouths that stretch from face to groin; others resembling alligators with bloated proportions and jaws that spit lightning; and still others where the vegetation has come to life, sporting thorn covered appendages.
The Pisaca monsters act as shock troopers, wearing the Convoy down with venomous bites and debilitating howls, before the heavy and brutish alligators bull in, using their bulk and electric attacks to obliterate what’s left. The capparwires scurry in the periphery, taking cheap shots with thorny vines and sparking electricity where they can. It’s a task to keep the monsters at bay until the generator fires up. Especially when one last enemy makes an appearance…
03-A: MIRRORMIC
There's as a metallic shiver along one of the remaining Husks, and a strange ringing whisper in the ears. The next moment, the Husk breaks open in a gleaming pool of quicksilver. That quicksilver catches reflections, and molds itself into a darker copy of a Drifter.
The mirror monster whispers faults and secrets at the reflected Drifter, and anyone close by. It tries to goad Drifters into an attack. And when struck, the mirror monster plays its second trick; whatever damage it takes is reflected back onto the Drifter as a transformation. An injury to the arm transforms the Drifter's arm, and so on.
It's possible to banish this monster through direct lights shone on it from a car, flashlight, or magic… But such action needs to be swift, before the Mirrormic completely changes its Drifter.
03-B: BOMBADGY BOMBARDMENT
Before, during and even a little after the monster attack, there’s an extra presence scurrying around the vehicles, snuffling and barking when startled. A band of chunky, raccoon-esque monsters known as the bombadgy are raiding anything that looks like it could be food storage… And this includes vehicles!
The bombadgy’s claws are deft and sharp with tearing through windows and door seams. These creatures are a touch skittish and won’t attack unless provoked. They also can expel a flammable gas… And this means they can explode if sufficiently spooked or stressed. This also means that they can be treated as living bombs, and be lobbed at other threats if needed.
04: WIND DOWN
During the monster attack, there’s changes gripping the Convoy, and especially the people in it. It might feel like your control is getting worn away by the second… At least until something in the trucks starts to whirr to life. It’s a soft enough noise, little more than a hum as something blooms out of the engines. It fast turns into a shield that envelops the Convoy in a shimmering, glowing dome.
And while it might not be enough to reverse those changes, it can at least stop them from growing any worse. Give you a moment of breathing space to adjust to everything that’s happened, and give you some measure of clarity and control. There’s time to breathe and mend now. Take stock of one’s injuries and changes.
But there’s a few strange surprises still waiting, it seems. Because the corpses of the monsters begin to disintegrate, like they are bleeding out motes of sickly light. Light that you quickly absorb; it has the side effect of lessening pain, even mending wounds… Though it might make you feel a bit off. Maybe a little more excitable, maybe a little more irritable, or maybe expressing a certain odd psychological quirk. Still, that sudden surge should pass in about an hour or so; just need to keep it together until then. Perhaps with a little company.
And while it might not be enough to reverse those changes, it can at least stop them from growing any worse. Give you a moment of breathing space to adjust to everything that’s happened, and give you some measure of clarity and control. There’s time to breathe and mend now. Take stock of one’s injuries and changes.
But there’s a few strange surprises still waiting, it seems. Because the corpses of the monsters begin to disintegrate, like they are bleeding out motes of sickly light. Light that you quickly absorb; it has the side effect of lessening pain, even mending wounds… Though it might make you feel a bit off. Maybe a little more excitable, maybe a little more irritable, or maybe expressing a certain odd psychological quirk. Still, that sudden surge should pass in about an hour or so; just need to keep it together until then. Perhaps with a little company.
05: CAMP
A screen in the Convoy flickers to life. The image isn't visible through a snowfield of static. Same with the audio:
“Still… Alive? Good. Connection- Can’t hear you. Can't talk. Convoy will- take you closer to Nirvana.”
After that, the connection is dropped, leaving a collection of text:
I’m sorry. I have no answers for you. But you’re still alive. You’re not as broken as the rest of the world. When the sun rises, this Convoy and all the cars around it will start moving North towards Nirvana. If you want answers, and to stay as close to human as you can… I suggest you stay with the Convoy. Good luck.
A last alert flashes across the screen: “TESTING LOCAL NETWORK CONNECTION.” And then… Music starts to play on the speakers. Mellow guitar and brass music that’s at odds with all the weird that’s happened recently, but perhaps just the thing to relax to.
“Still… Alive? Good. Connection- Can’t hear you. Can't talk. Convoy will- take you closer to Nirvana.”
After that, the connection is dropped, leaving a collection of text:
I’m sorry. I have no answers for you. But you’re still alive. You’re not as broken as the rest of the world. When the sun rises, this Convoy and all the cars around it will start moving North towards Nirvana. If you want answers, and to stay as close to human as you can… I suggest you stay with the Convoy. Good luck.
A last alert flashes across the screen: “TESTING LOCAL NETWORK CONNECTION.” And then… Music starts to play on the speakers. Mellow guitar and brass music that’s at odds with all the weird that’s happened recently, but perhaps just the thing to relax to.
MICRO ENCOUNTERS:
PLEASE NOTE! These are small bits of set dressing for players to include in threads if they wish, rather than full fledged prompts or events. You may handwave your exploration of these areas, or thread them out.
Race Track: There’s a race track that winds around the gas station! It’s a bit threadbare in places and little more than a mossy and muddy trail. But it’s still a race track that weaves under and over trees, and seems like a good place to test new wheels.
Gone Fishing: The gas station area eventually turns into the start of a swamp; that explains where the alligators came from. It may be possible to do a little bit of fishing, though the fish are just as weird as everything else. Still edible though. Swimming in the swamp is not advised. The alligator monsters and fish tend to bite back.
Spray Paint Messages: The paint on the trees and gas station is starting to fade and wash out, but can still be legible; most of it contains messages warning about the end of the world, prayers to the heavens for mercy, and dire warnings about husks and something called “moon warps.”
no subject
Since it seems to make V uneasy, Serph reverses the transformation, glowing blue lines spreading over his body before he reverts back to his human shape, lines retracting into the brand on his face.
"Can you tell me more of those atypical beings?"
I keep miswriting 'Radiant Era' as 'Golden Era', good job self
M-Bot chirps in a suspiciously fawning manner, and V gives their drone a Look before settling down again.
"The main thing to understand is that - there were just humans, and wildlife known to be native to Earth, once. During the Radiant Era, humans invented technology that became indistinguishable from magic, and unleashed what's perceived as the latter across the world. Since the end of that era, anything capable of consciousness has... evolved. Rats and rabbits developed leaping and tunneling abilities beyond what was normal for them in times past. Insects that were as small as a thumbtack doubled or quadrupled in size."
That the monsters V had encountered here so far were different, spoke more to this clearly not being Tamaris than the idea that Tamaris didn't have variety.
"Natural and manufactured locales developing 'spirits' isn't all that uncommon, though comprehending any communication with them is difficult."
They tilt their head, letting Serph have a few moments. "Does any of that sound in parallel to what you know?"
lmao oh no
Well, he's supposed to be dead.
Serph shakes his head. How to explain...
"My world lacked plants and animals... and was destroyed." That's really the most concise answer. "I entered the world that created it. A world with a black sun, its rays turning humans to stone."
Which is to say, no, none of that sounds anything like anything he knows.
Re: lmao oh no
That draws out the first notes of alarm from V, fur on the back of their neck all the way down to their tail rising.
They attempt to double back: "If it didn't have fauna or flora - animals or plants - what did it have? And- I haven't heard of a planet having a black sun, before."
The magic V knew of, such as it was, was strictly confined to Earth, but that definitely sounded magical.
no subject
Not all humans considered them people, but he did. And that day he lost hundreds of his people.
Unfortunately, his comrades aren't here to explain for him, so V gets Serph's far less elaborate explanation.
"It was a simulation. A virtual world created for warfare." He doesn't say it, but everyone there were thus artificial. "We didn't know it at the time."
no subject
"So all you knew was war, before you got out?"
On the one hand, V had had a childhood - a family, of other Synths - but they kept that strictly under wraps. And then the Red Empire had gotten involved, and after that... well, their life had ended up being just shy of open war.
"That... would certainly explain much of what you say."
M-Bot lifts up, slowly traveling over to Serph, only chirping once it's maybe half a foot away.
The drone didn't have much in the way of complex emotions, but if anything it's mannerisms were empathetic.
no subject
And... despite everything, he does miss it a little. Things had gotten... busy. Bustling, even. There was a satisfaction in looking out over Muladhara and their new base and seeing all the people he trusted and trusted him in return. Ever since they gained their demons, both a blessing and a curse, there were still points of joy in the midst of everything. Before, they couldn't even feel that.
Enough about him. "You said locales developed spirits. What are those?"
no subject
V, meanwhile, simply picks up the conversational lead again: "An awareness and reactiveness to stimuli, mainly - a city, or a forest, or a body of water, simply knows when someone new has entered, and if that person is hostile it can act to defend itself."
They shrug. "I am not a specialist on their mannerisms, however. I only know so much about them from personal experience."
They lift a paw, balancing on just three for a moment, then settle back down.
"... Are you willing to spot for me? I should practice shifting back."
It was smarter to have more eyes looking out for them, pain or no pain.
no subject
Serph considers that new information with some odd curiosity. A location that has an awareness... does that mean it possess life? Places are also data so the possibility is there, isn't it?
Serph nods silently in agreement. Of course. Besides, he wants to know what V looks like when they aren't a cat. He doesn't say anything further, but he'll make sure no harm comes to V while they're reverting.
no subject
They take a moment to reflect on the method of change, centering their focus on the sigil, on what their normal form feels like-
M-Bot shoots up in the air when they start screaming, the drone darting around in worry as light courses through their body. They're still not really used to this kind of pain, and doubtless the noise will draw attention.
Just like the last time, when they managed to make theirself small, the next step left them very, very large: a hulking felinoid with much in the way of fur and muscle, and no traits that would scream 'Synth'.
The screaming stops belatedly, V shaking their head, and they attempt to breathe through the pain, to sink into it again. Complaining won't help, and they're not sure this form can exactly speak.
no subject
As for Serph himself he stays the respectable distance away, neither approaching nor disengaging. He's not afraid. Large, strange monsters have never been something to fear; the most terrifying things have always come from within.
But anyone who has had the experience of gaining an Atma and is still alive knows better than to approach someone freshly transformed whose control is not confirmed; he'd killed so many the first time and didn't even remember it.
He watches V scream without outward emotion, waits, observes the V's inhale exhale of breath, waits for it to steady. And then...
"V. Status report."
V isn't his tribe but he can't help but fall back on old habits from a role he can no longer carry out (for what is a leader without followers?). He needs to know how lucid V is and how in control he is over this form. And whether he needs to defend himself now that he has potentially identified himself as a target.
no subject
V, meanwhile, is visibly struggling with their current form. Words are difficult, to say the least, but movement is still possible.
They bring their clawed, furry hands together, in a sort of negating gesture. They lower first to a kneeling position, then back onto their haunches, trying to tamp down on the sensory data they're getting-
But they can't. Not in the way a Synth can. M-Bot makes that warbling chirp again, and V lowers their head in response.
no subject
Since V is more responsive to M-Bot than himself (and really, Serph just isn't comfortable with chattering away...) he says to the bot, "V's attention must be drawn away. They need something to focus on." It might sound a little odd, but... "Can you sing?"
Or play a recording of some kind of song?
no subject
Instead, since they can both understand what Serph said, M-Bot tries to hum a note - a distinct pitch...
One that, with some effort, V matches. Their voice is deeper, in this form - but if this will somehow help them change again, they feel they can't not try.
no subject
He's no Sera, but... when both V and M-Bot look to him, he can't help but try anyway. And so he hums for them the only song he knows, the prayer that had always calmed their demons and soothed their hunger.
no subject
Especially since Serph is much better at carrying a tune than either of them, right now.
V is, not relaxed, but certainly calmer, able to perceive more of what's around them past their pain and the stress of the situation overall.
no subject
Mentally, he notes down this new revelation.
So... even if he isn't totally comfortable with even just humming, Serph continues to do it for V until it seems like they no longer need the song.
no subject
Thankfully, it's not back to the cat form, though V quickly drops to their knees anyway to steady themselves.
"That body... is not comfortable," they conclude aloud, taking a few precious moments to remember they don't strictly need to breathe.
"Though the feline isn't terrible." By comparison or otherwise.
M-Bot is quick to snuggle up to its partner once more, prompting a distinct smile from V.
no subject
"It gets easier." At least it did for him.
Once he's close enough, he offers a hand up for V if they wanted help standing.
no subject
"I'll have to see that for myself, but... thank you."
They don't need help to stand, ultimately, but neither does V push them away. M-Bot chirps, pointing a light out into the forest.
"Did you see something?" M-Bot's next noise was more of a blaat.
"Well, fine, then. Did you want to go back to camp?"
That question isn't just for their drone, as they look back to Serph while speaking.
"Or will you be out a while longer? This does not appear to be the best environment to travel solo."
Even for the well-equipped.
no subject
"I'll be fine." It sort of answers the question, in an oblique way.
Serph doesn't have any visible weapons on him in human form and he didn't seem to have much even as a demon; though his feet were clawed, his fingers had no such things. Varuna's teeth were sharp but they could hardly be considered practical weapons given his small, human-like mouth. But the reality is that Varuna is always with a weapon.
no subject
"Good hunting to the both of you, then."
They'd cross paths again soon, V assumed.